bulk

plural bulks

1. countableuncountableSize, specifically, volume.

   The Quantity of Matter is the measure of the same, arising from its density and bulk conjunctly.

   1729, I Newton, Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, page 1

   3 more examples

   “ Didn't Balbus say this morning that, if a body is immersed in liquid, it displaces as much liquid as is equal to its own bulk? ” said Hugh.

   1885, Lewis Carroll, “Knot IX”, in A Tangled Tale, page 58

   By this process the body of the oyster acquires such a plumpness and rotundity, and its bulk and weight are so increased, as to materially increase its selling value.

   1887, W. O. Atwater, “The Chemistry of Oyster-Fattening”, in Popular Science Monthly, volume 32, number November, page 77

   The cliff-dwellers had chipped and chipped away at this boulder till it rested its tremendous bulk upon a mere pin-point of its surface.

   1912 January, Zane Grey, chapter 8, in Riders of the Purple Sage […], New York, N.Y.; London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, →OCLC

2. countableuncountableAny huge body or structure.

   The obese woman couldn't ease her bulk through the narrow passageway.

3. countableuncountableThe major part of something.

   the main bulk of a nut roast is generally some form of carbohydrate, intended to lighten the load.

   2011 December 15, Felicity Cloake, “How to cook the perfect nut roast”, in Guardian

   2 more examples

   In the case of such a contract, there must be an implied condition that the bulk shall correspond with the sample in quality

   1911, Encyclopædia Britannica, volume 24, «Sample», page 119

   There were many wooden chairs for the bulk of his visitors, and two wicker armchairs with red cloth cushions for superior people. From the packing-cases had emerged some Indian clubs,[…], and all these articles[…] made a scattered and untidy decoration that Mrs. Clough assiduously dusted and greatly cherished.

   1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter XII, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC

   1. countableuncountableMajority, balance.

      The bulk of the criticisms were invalid.

      1 more example

      The bulk of my income comes from my office job, but I also teach a couple of evening classes.

   2. countableuncountableGist.

      I understood the bulk of what you were saying, just one of two points I need to hear again.

4. countableuncountableDietary fibre.
5. uncountabletransportUnpackaged goods when transported in large volumes, e.g. coal, ore, or grain.
6. countableA cargo or any items moved or communicated in the manner of cargo.
7. countableuncountablebodybuildingExcess body mass, especially muscle.
8. countableuncountablebodybuildingA period where one tries to gain muscle.
9. countableuncountablebrane cosmologyA hypothetical higher-dimensional space within which our own four-dimensional universe may exist.
10. countableobsoleteuncountableThe body.

    ...haunted the chocolate-houses, beat the watch, lay on bulks, and got claps;

    1704, [Jonathan Swift], “Section II”, in A Tale of a Tub. […], London: […] John Nutt, […], →OCLC

    2 more examples

    Methought I had, and often did I strive To yield the ghost, but still the envious flood Stopped in my soul and would not let it forth To find the empty, vast, and wand'ring air, But smothered it within my panting bulk, Who almost burst to belch it in the sea.

    c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]

    little Cupide stroue Within her bulke, because that she had woue The web that wrought Nastagio all his woe

    1587, George Turberville, Tragical Tales

1. not comparableBeing large in size, mass, or volume (of goods, etc.).
2. not comparableTotal.

   Bulk fermentation

   1 more example

   Leon also noted that the government “does not cite a single instance in which analysis of the NSA’s bulk metadata collection actually stopped an imminent attack, or otherwise aided the government in achieving any objective that was time-sensitive in nature.”

   2013 December 16, Bill Mears, Evan Perez, “Judge: NSA domestic phone data-mining unconstitutional”, in CNN, archived from the original on 09 Feb 2018

present singular third person bulks · participle present bulking · participle past bulked · past bulked

1. intransitiveTo appear or seem to be, as to bulk or extent.

   The fame of Warburton possibly bulked larger for the moment.

   1878, Leslie Stephen, Samuel Johnson

   1 more example

   Last, behold on Juss’s right hand, yon lord that bulks mighty as Hercules yet steppeth lightly as a heifer.

   1922, E[ric] R[ücker] Eddison, The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance, London: Jonathan Cape […], →OCLC, page 6

2. intransitiveTo grow in size; to swell or expand.
3. intransitiveTo gain body mass by means of diet, exercise, etc.
4. transitiveTo put or hold in bulk.
5. obsoletetransitiveTo add bulk to; to bulk out.

   Some of the towne dwellers haue ſo large an opinion of their ſetled prouiſion, that if all her Maieſties fleet at once ſhould put into their bay, within twelue dayes warning with ſo much double beere, beefe, fiſh and bisket they would bulke them as they could wallow away with.

   1599, [Thomas] Nashe, Nashes Lenten Stuffe, […], London: […] [Thomas Judson and Valentine Simmes] for N[icholas] L[ing] and C[uthbert] B[urby] […], →OCLC, page 6